Bed attachment



June 11, 1946. J WOLFE 2,401,999

BED ATTACHMENT Filed April 5, 1944 dEsepk fl h o/fe Patented June 11, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,401,999 1 BED ATTACHMENT Joseph A. Wolfe, Seattle, Wash.

Application April 5, 1944, SerialNo. 529,892

My invention relates to a bed attachment of a type adapted to extend crosswise of a bed between the mattress and bed covers to support the bed covers in spaced relation above the mattress at the location of the attachment.

Invalids and other persons who are obliged to remain in bed for long periods of time often find that the weight of the bed covers resting on parts of the body become very painful. This is particularly true with respect to injured or sore parts of the body.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and eflicient support for the bed covers which may be quickly and easily applied to a bed at any desired location between the head and foot of said bed and adjusted so that it will support the bed covers clear of any part of the body of a person in the bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bed covers support that is quickly and easily respect to the bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bed covers support that is carried on the side frame members of the bed and does not rest on the mattress but extends crosswise of the bed between the mattress and. the bed covers.

Another object is to provide a bed covers support that may be carried by an auxiliary bed frame which is angularly adjustable relative to a main bed frame, this being a type of bed frame commonly found in hospital beds.

Another object is to provide a bed covers support that will not obstruct access to injured parts of a patient above which bed covers are supported.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bed attachment constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing my invention attached to a hospital bed of conventional type,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of my bed attachment showing the same attached to the frame of a hospital bed, the side rail portions of the bed being shown in cross section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation looking in the direction of broken line 44 of Fig. 3, and showing by full lines one position of the arched bed covers support and by broken lines other positions of the arched bed covers support.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

2 Claims. (Cl. 5-319) adjustable both vertically and longitudinally with In accordance with my invention I provide an arch shaped bed covers support I8 that is adapted to extend crosswise of a' bed between the bed covers and the mattress to support any desired portion of the bed covers at any desired height above the mattress and thereby relieve any portion of the body of a person in the bed of the weight of said covers. The bed covers sup-port II] is provided at each end with a mounting means, such as a fixedly secured forked member I I. Each forked member II fits over a plate I2 and is adjustably connected with said plate I2 by a cross pin or rivet l3. The rivet I3 is rigid with the plate I2 and extends through longitudinal slots I4 in the forked member II. This provides for relativeadjustment between the plate I2 and the forked member II.

The upper edge portion of each plate I2 is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed notches I5 for the reception of a fixed member, such as a cross pin I6, that is carried by the forked member I I. By moving the forked member II outwardly relative to the plate I2 the cross pin It may be withdrawn clear of the notches l5 and thus allow the forked member to be angularly adjusted relative to the plate I2. When the cross pin I6 is seated in a notch I5 the forked member II is locked against movement relative to the plate I2. a

Each plate I2 has a boss II provided thereon. A clamp member I8 extends crosswise through each plate I2 and boss I'I. Each clamp member I8 has a hook I9 on its inner end portion and has a hand-hold 20 on its outer end portion. A compression spring 2| is provided on each clamp member I8 between the hand-hold 20 and the adjacent plate I2 and boss [1. The clamp member I8 is movable transversely relative to the plate l2 by which it is carried and the spring 2I is adapted to yieldingly hold the clamp member in engagement with any member, such as a bed rail 22 with which it is engaged.

This device may be quickly and easily attached to a bed by positioning the arch member I8 crosswise of the bed above the mattress 23 and attaching the two clamp members I8 to the bed rails 22 at opposite sides of the bed by pushing said clamp members inwardly against the pressure of the springs 2I until the hook portions of the clamp members are in a position to engage the bed rails then releasing the clamps. After the clamp members are thus attached they will hold the plates I2 in fixed positions and the arch shaped member I8 may be adjusted angularly by positioning the pins I6 in different notches I5.

Angular movement of the arch member ID adjusts this member both longitudinally and vertically relative to the bed. When this arch member In is positioned substantially upright or at right angles relative to the bed frame it will support the bed covers high enough above the bed so that these covers will be clear of the larger portions of the body of a patient, such as the hips, abdomen or chest. If the'arch member ID is positioned at an incline other than-right angles to the bed frame the bed covers will still be supported by said arched member but will not be elevated so high above the bed frame and mattress.

Preferably the length of the slots 14, position of the pins l3 and shape of the plates lZare such as to preclude lowering of the a'rohmer'ribrlfl below the position said arch member In will occupy when the cross pins l6 are in the last or end notches l5 of the plates I2. This makes it substantially impossible for an attendant to let the arch member I0 drop on or rest on the body of a patient.

In the drawing I show the invention applied to a typical hospital bed in which the side frame members are adjustable in sections. When my device is thus applied it will be secured to the adjustable sections of the'bed frame and will move with these sections. If desired my'device may be secured to the side rails of an ordinary bed frame and'will function in the same manner.

4 member secured to the end portion of said arch shaped member; a plate fitting into the bifurcated portion of said forked member; slot and pin means pivotally interconnecting said forked member and said plate and providing limited longitudinal movement of said forked member relative to said plate; a clamp hook carried by said plate and movable transversely thereof and adapted to releasably engage with the side rail of a bed frame section; spring means Vyieldingly urging said clamp hook into engaged position; a'lplurality of spaced apart notches in the upper edge portion of said plate; and notch engaging means in said forked memberselectively engageable with'said notches in said plate.

2. Bed covers supporting means for use on a bed having side rails, comprising two plates each having an arcuate notched upper edge portion; readily attachable and detachable means adapted to releasably and detachably secure the ree speotive plates to opposite side rails of the bed with the notched portions of the plates extending above the side rails of the bed; an arch shaped bed covers supporting member extending crosswise of the bed and'having end portions that are positioned adjacent the respective plates; a notch engaging member rigid with each end portion of said bed covers. supporting memberand selectively engageable in the notchesinitheadjacent plate to 'hold said bed covers supporting member in different positions; and slot and pin means pivotally connecting each end portion of said be'd covers supporting memberowith the adjacent .plate and providingl'longitudinal movement of the end portions ofth'e bed covers supporting member relative to the plates,- whereby said notch engaging members may be moved into engaged or disengaged positions relative to the notches in saidplates. v l

w I JOSEPH A.'WOLFE. 

